Finding time to relax between working, commuting, cooking and sleeping is practically impossible some days. So I’ve been decompressing by watching a good ol’ 22-minute sitcom.
Here are my favourite sitcoms in my binge rotation (not in any particular order, because I love them all!).
1. How I Met Your Mother
“That’s the thing about stupid decisions: we all make them, but time is funny and sometimes a little magical.” –Ted Mosby
The name sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but it’s really a great show. You’ll take turns loving and hating each character. There was a lot of controversy about the finale but I like to say that I called it.
Best character: Barney Stinson
Where to watch: Disney+
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“I’m gonna go cry in the bathroom, peace out homies.” –Jake Peralta
This series honestly makes me laugh out loud. Each character is so different and iconic in their own way. It’s really hard choosing a favourite. The show makes fun and roots for cops at the same time.
Best character: Captain Raymond (Ray) Holt
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Friends
“They don’t know that we know they know we know.” –Phoebe Buffay
This is the show I always go back to. It’s my comfort show. I’m not sure how many times I ended up watching it, but I was devastated when it got pulled from Netflix.
Best character: Joey Tribbiani
Where to watch: You tell me! PLEASE I NEED IT!
4. The Office
“I knew exactly what to do; but in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” –Michael Scott
Realistically, I’m not sure how this show would survive if it aired in 2025. The very first episode is already wild, and had my eyebrows raised and eyes wide the whole time. Michael Scott really does grow on you though, but Dwight Schrute ends up being my favourite character.
Best character: Dwight Schrute
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Abbott Elementary
“She pale like a zombie! You know they eat the hottest people first. Let me back my tasty ass up.” –Ava Coleman
Comedic genius, Quinta Brunson, came out with a TV series that I can’t stop watching. I’m itching for the next episode every week!
Best character: Ava Coleman
Where to watch: Disney+
6. Superstore
“Same old Bo. Little dangerous, little mysterious, little dyslexic. He recently lost his flip-flops, so, you know, ups and downs.” –Cheyenne
Every time I rewatch this series, I find so many little jokes that I missed all previous times. You somehow always end up thinking “this doesn’t happen in real life though, right?”
Best character: Dina
Where to watch: Netflix
7. The Good Place
“Yo, you should listen to me. I came up with hundreds of plans in my life and only one of them got me killed.” –Jason Mendoza
Follow Eleanor Shellstrop as she enters The Good Place after getting hit by a long line of shopping carts while picking up her margarita mix.
This sitcom always makes me laugh—and wonder about more than why there are so many frozen yogurt shops…
Best character: Jason Mendoza
Where to watch: Netflix
8. New Girl
“You treat an outside wound with rubbing alcohol, you treat an inside wound with drinking alcohol.” –Nick Miller
*please drink responsibly*
This chaotic, hilarious sitcom follows 4 eccentric roommates living in a New York City loft. Plus, you’ll see a cameo of Detective Jake Peralta from Brooklyn 99!
Best character: Schmidt
Where to watch: Disney+
Which of these have you seen and what shows can you watch again and again? Let me know so I can add some new ones to my rotation!
The Lilac Blog 